Wow! Why the sudden change of heart for LSU coach Will Wade? Could it be the $10 million?

LSU coach Will Wade shouts during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Florida in Gainesville, Fla., Wednesday, March 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)(Photo: The Associated Press)

BATON ROUGE — If you have ever watched former Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers on NFL Films, you can appreciate change of direction.

But on Sunday night, not even Sayers in his prime could have matched former suspended LSU basketball coach Will Wade's reversal.

"This morning, I advised President Alexander, Athletic Director Joe Alleva and the LSU Board of Supervisors that I would like to resume my duties as Head Basketball Coach," he began.

Glenn Guilbeau(Photo: File photo)

Advised? Really. You're advising LSU's president, athletic director, and board? Interesting choice of words for a rogue employee who previously told Alleva in October that nothing else was coming after after Yahoo's story then about an FBI wiretap featuring Wade discussing an offer for another top prospect, Balsa Koprivica.

"With the benefit of a week to consider the circumstances, I believe University officials should allow me to resume my duties," he continued.

Wow. He is saying that Alleva, Alexander and board members were not so smart and may now be smarter - or as smart as he is. How pompous and all knowing.

"I understand that in today’s hyper-intense media environment it is extremely difficult for any organization, particularly a public university, to stand firm in the face of rumors, leaks and innuendo," Wade continued.

Excuse me, Will, but the authors of the Yahoo story - Pat Forde and Pete Thamel - are among the best in the business and have much more credibility than you. And so does even Dick Vitale, by the way.

"In this case, the simple truth is I have been placed on leave because I exercised my right not to submit to a joint LSU/NCAA interview on the exact same subject matter at issue in an impending federal criminal trial in New York," Wade said. "My legal counsel advised the University that it would be wholly inappropriate for me, or anyone, to submit to an interview under these circumstances."

Wrong. You should have spoken to LSU attorney Thomas Skinner, who said this about that: "It is not unlawful or illegal for Wade to talk to us at all. He has the right not to incriminate himself (5th amendment) in a criminal proceeding, but he does not have the right not to meet with his employer."

Wade went on. "Declining to be interviewed was a difficult decision for me, as I would like to cooperate fully with all parties, particularly LSU," he said. "To be clear, however, all I’ve done is follow the prudent advice of counsel to exercise my constitutional rights to due process. Given these facts, I don’t believe it is appropriate for me to be relieved of my duties. We have a great basketball program made up of excellent student-athletes and quality coaches. The players who’ve given their all for this institution, the students and alumni who are devoted to LSU, and fans across Louisiana and beyond deserve to see this team fulfill its destiny. I love LSU and everything it stands for. What I’m asking for is the right to do my job while exercising my constitutional rights. I don’t think that’s too much to ask."

Actually, Wade followed the advice of an attorney - Michael McGovern - not very experienced with NCAA matters and who may not have realized Wade was breaking his contract, which says on page 3 that Wade must:

"promptly report any known violation of governing athletics regulations to the athletic director and the associate athletic director for compliance."

"cooperate fully in any investigation of possible NCAA or SEC violations conducted or authorized by LSU, the SEC or the NCAA at any time."

"reasonably observe, respect, and promote the principles of institutional control in the program.”

Because of the above, LSU could have - and likely still can - fire Wade with cause, meaning the $10 million remaining on Wade's contract could be kept by LSU. Wade's salary is $2.5 million a year through June of 2023.

To use Wade's words, "with the benefit" of a month "to consider the circumstances," Wade believed about two weeks ago that he really screwed up and could lose $10 million. It's amazing how a lot of cash can change someone's mind.

And Wade soon "believed" that he better do what "University officials" said he should do in order to "resume my duties."

Wade hired a new lawyer, Steven J. Thompson, who knows all about NCAA matters and has expertly defended - so far - other wayward coaches such as Arizona's Sean Miller and Auburn's Bruce Pearl.

Apparently, Thompson told Wade to carry his butt to a meeting with LSU and the NCAA because of this "strong ass offer" to Smart he spoke of on FBI wiretap in the Yahoo Sports story, which LSU officials do not believe is full of "rumors and innuendo." In fact, LSU pointed to that story when it suspended Wade.

That meeting finally happened on Friday on LSU's terms. And on Sunday, Wade had completely reversed his field as only Gale Sayers could.

"I am humbled," Wade began. You can say that again.

"I am humbled and grateful to be back at LSU," the new Wade opened. "I would like to express my appreciation to President F. King Alexander and Athletic Director Joe Alleva for my reinstatement, and I sincerely apologize to the University and our fans for the disruption to the University and the program."

I have a vision of Wade on his knees at this point.

"I regret the circumstances that prevented me from meeting with the University sooner," he went on.

Uh, the circumstances were you. The upcoming federal trial of basketball corruption on April 22 was merely used an excuse by you and McGovern to get you out of talking about something that was embarrassing - your quotes on FBI tape in the Yahoo story. Nothing else. Because you may still have to testify in that trial anyway. So the situation now is the same as it was in on March 7-14 when you should have met with LSU and the NCAA in the first place. Suddenly, your "constitutional rights" do not matter, Will?

"I wish I could have addressed these issues when the University first requested a meeting, and I’m grateful they gave me the opportunity to do so last week," he said. "I completely understand that without my denying or explaining the media reports accusing me of wrongdoing LSU was left with no choice but to suspend me until I was willing and able to meet with them. Any other course of action would have put the program and the University at risk."

Well, now you've got it. You can see the light so clearly now, you have to wear shades.

"Again, I'd like to thank the Board of Supervisors, President Alexander, Athletic Director Joe Alleva, our student-athletes, and our fans for this opportunity," he said.

OK, Will, you can get up now.

"I look forward to re-joining the team right away," Wade said. "I intend to sit down with my student-athletes and co-workers to explain what has happened during the last 30 days and how I intend for us all to move forward."

And one or more of those players may or should ask you this:

"Dude, congratulations on being reinstated. But do you realize that had you done on Friday, March 8, what you did on Friday, April 12, that you could have coached us in the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament? And if we win a couple of games in the SEC Tournament, we could have received a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament. And with you swallowing your pride and ego and coaching us in March, you realize we could have possibly advanced farther than the Sweet 16? So, thanks for letting us down."